Part 25 (1/2)

III. Notice the _Stations in Europe_. 1. Philippi.

2. Amphipolis. 3. Apollonia. 4. Thessalonica. 5.

Berea. 6. Athens. 7. Corinth. 8. Cenchrea.

IV. Notice the _Stations of the Return Journey_.

1. Ephesus. 2. Caesarea. 3. Jerusalem. 4. Antioch.

THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY.

This journey of the apostle, beginning at Antioch, led him as far west as Corinth, and then as far east as Jerusalem. It probably occupied about four years, from A.D. 54 to 58, and may be subdivided into two stages. I. The Outward Journey, from Antioch to Corinth, including seven stations. II. The Return Journey, from Corinth to Jerusalem, with fifteen stations. More than half of this period was spent at Ephesus, where Paul preached for nearly three years.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PAUL'S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY.]

I. =The Outward Journey.= (Acts 18:23-20:3.)

1. We note _Antioch_, the starting point for each of Paul's three missionary journeys. This place has been already described, on page 113, in connection with the map of the Early Apostolic History.

2. His westward course lay through _Galatia_ (Acts 18:23), where he visited the churches planted upon his former tour. But as before, this may refer to the part of Galatia embraced in Lycaonia; and we have thus indicated upon the map by a dotted line. (See page 121.)

3. Still journeying westward toward the coast, Paul pa.s.sed through _Phrygia_ (Acts 18:23), already described on page 118. No events of this part of the journey are related.

4. He came from the highlands of the interior to _Ephesus_, where he had touched on his previous journey, and was now to remain longer than at any other place during his active ministry. (Acts 19:1-20:1.) Ephesus was the metropolis of Proconsular Asia, and may be regarded as the third capital of Christianity, as Jerusalem had been its birthplace, and Antioch the centre of its foreign missions. It stood a mile from the aegean Sea, fronting an artificial harbor, in which met the s.h.i.+ps of all lands, and above which rose the Temple of Artemis (Diana), celebrated as the most magnificent building in Asia Minor, though the image which it enshrined was only a shapeless block. Its population was princ.i.p.ally Greek, though with a large Oriental mixture. Here a preparation for Paul's labor had been made by Apollos, who had instructed a small company of Jews up to the twilight of John the Baptist's teachings concerning the Messiah. From Paul's friends, Aquila and Priscilla, he had learned the gospel of Christ; and, just before the apostle's arrival, had gone to Corinth. For three months Paul labored in the synagogue with the Jews and inquiring Gentiles; but, when the Jewish opposition endangered the work, he took the step (at this time first in the history of Christianity) of calling the believers in Christ out of the synagogue. Paul remained at Ephesus in all more than two years, working at his trade through the week, while preaching on the Jewish Sabbath. Through his endeavors most of ”the Seven Churches,” addressed long afterward by John, were founded at this time. Just before Paul's departure a riot arose, and a tumultuous mob occupied the theatre, whose ruins may still be seen. Ephesus is now an utter desolation, haunted by wild beasts. Near its ruins is a small Turkish village, called _Ayasalouk_. Near the close of his stay at Ephesus, Paul wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLAN OF EPHESUS.]

5. The next stopping place of the apostle was at _Troas_. (2 Cor. 2:12, 13.) This is mentioned, not in the Acts, but in the Epistle written soon afterward. Here he had expected to meet his companion t.i.tus, with news from the church at Corinth. While waiting, he found an opportunity for preaching, and success in winning souls. But, as the expected tidings did not come, Paul again took s.h.i.+p, and sailed once more (see the previous journey) from Asia to Europe.

6. His next station is named as _Macedonia_ (Acts 20:2); but it may be inferred that he visited Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea, the places of former labors, already described in the account of the second journey.

Perhaps it was at this time that he journeyed ”round about unto Illyric.u.m,” which was a province on the Adriatic Sea, west of Macedonia.

(Rom. 15:19.) While in Macedonia, perhaps at Philippi, Paul wrote the Second Epistle to the Corinthians.

7. The last place in Paul's outward journey is mentioned as _Greece_, the province elsewhere called Achaia. (Acts 20:2, 3; 18:27.) His princ.i.p.al errand was to Corinth (already described on page 123), where troubles in the church required his attention. While here he wrote the Epistle to the Galatians, and his great statement of Christian doctrine, the Epistle to the Romans.

II. =The Return Journey.= (Acts 20:6-21:6.) This was undertaken with the desire of reaching Jerusalem in time for the Feast of Pentecost, A.D.

58. For some reason, probably on account of a Jewish plot to murder him, Paul did not take the direct route, but went around the aegean Sea by way of Philippi and Troas, and was accompanied by a number of friends.

1. From Corinth, Paul and his friends journeyed overland, through Greece and Macedonia, to _Philippi_ (Acts 20:3-6), a place now visited for the third time. Here Paul was rejoined by Luke the Evangelist, who henceforth shared his dangers to the end of his life.

2. Most of Paul's company sailed from Philippi across the aegean Sea to _Troas_, in advance of the apostle, but were soon followed by Paul and Luke. (Acts 20:5-13.) At Troas they remained for a week with the church; and here Eutychus was restored to life by the apostle.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PAUL'S VOYAGE TO ROME.]

3. From Philippi, most of the company set sail for Palestine, but Paul went on foot as far as _a.s.sos_, where he was taken on board. (Acts 20:13, 14.) This place was situated 19 miles from Troas, and is now marked by extensive ruins.

4. _Mitylene._ This was on the island of Lesbos, famed as the home of Sappho, the Greek poetess. Here they anch.o.r.ed for the night, as the channel was not easy to follow among the islands. (Acts 20:14.) This and the succeeding stations in the aegean Sea may be noticed on the map of the islands and coasts of Asia Minor, on page 132.

5. _Chios._ (Acts 20:15.) This is an island 32 miles long, and 5 miles from Asia; said to have been the birthplace of Homer; and now called _Scio_. Here Paul's s.h.i.+p anch.o.r.ed only for a night.

6. _Samos._ (Acts 20:15.) This is an island near the mainland, 42 miles southwest of Smyrna; and 27 miles long. It was the birthplace of the philosopher Pythagoras. They barely touched at the island, and then sailed across to the sh.o.r.e of Asia Minor.

7. _Trogyllium_ (Acts 20:15) is a town and cape on the coast of Asia Minor, at the foot of Mount Mycale. The place at which they anch.o.r.ed for the night is still called _St. Paul's Port_. On the next day they sailed past the harbor of Ephesus without stopping, for Paul's stations were controlled by the movements of the s.h.i.+p and its masters.